Western Australian teenager Axel Walsh has become the first player ever signed by the Tasmania Devils, headlining a draft style event in Hobart.
The 17-year-old, who stands 202 centimetres tall, was the first of eight young footballers announced as the club’s inaugural signings.
Walsh said the moment carried weight beyond his own career.
“Their history dating back all the way to 1866, all the history, all the problems that the islands faced. And then here we are in 2026 and an inaugural 7th being announced. So very exciting,” he said.
Walsh’s father was born in Ireland and his mother in New Zealand.
He played football, water polo and athletics as a youngster before watching his brother Xavier go through the pathway at Port Adelaide under Ken Hinkley.
Hinkley is now his first AFL coach.
“Xavier could only speak good words about Ken, so yeah, very excited,” Walsh said.
“He’s a great man and yeah, keen to have this sort of experience with him and hopefully we can get Xavier down as well.”
Walsh already has family living in Tasmania, including cousins who attended the event.
Miller, a forward who has kicked as many as 11 goals in a game, said he was looking forward to lining up alongside his former rivals.
“Playing against Axel and Baxter felt a little bit weird, but now we get to play together, so I’m super excited,” he said.
Victorian Jake Miller was the second name called.
The draft-style event is continuing into the evening.
